Train trip or switch-operating means



Ap 1931- T. E. BLACKWELL ET AL TRAIN TRIP OR SWITCH OPERATING MEANS Original Filed Dec. 14, 1927 A TTORNEYS.

Patented Apr. 28, 1931 FUNITED STATES PATETiOFFICE THOMAS E. BLACKWELL AND LESLIE T. SMITH, OE MCKINNEY, TEXAS I TRAIN TRIP R SWITCH-OPERATING MEANS Original application filed. December 14, 1927, Serial No. 239,957. Dividedand this application filed March 30, 1929. Serial No. 351,255.

This invention relates to a train trip, and has for one of its objects to provide a device of this character which shall be especially adapted to be used for the purpose 'of operating the switch opening mechanism forming the subject matter of my co-pending ap-- plication filed December l4th', l927, and serially numbered 239,957, and including a yieldingly supported bar adapted when depressed to effect the opening of the switch.

This invention, which constitutes a division of my earlier application, has for a further object to provide a trip which shallinelude a member adapted to contact with and depress the barof the switch opening mechanism while the train is approaching the switch, means supporting the member on the train and normally holding it in inactive position, and means by which the member may be easily and quickly moved into active position when it is desired to open the switch.

The invention has for a further object to provide a trip of the character'stated which will be simple and durable and capable of being manufactured and which shall be adapted to be easily and quickly secured to a locomotive or other car.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the nature of which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described and claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a fragmentary portion of a locomotive or other car equipped with the trip;

Figure 2 is a top plan view illustrating the manner in which the trip is arranged on one of the wheel trucks of the car and showing a portion of the switch opening mechanism; I

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the trip, and

Figure 4' is a View in side elevation of the depressible bar of the switch opening mecha-' nism together with the means for supporting the bar.

Referring in detail to the drawing, 1 and 2 designate the main rails of a railway, 3 a locomotive or freight or other car, and 4 the depressible bar of the switch opening mechanism forming the subject matter of my earlier application. The bar 4 is arranged in spaced parallel relation to the outer side of the rail 1, and is connected to a bracket plate 5 by links 6. A bolt 7 is pivotally secured as at 8 to the bar 4, and passes freely through the angular terminal 9 of the bracket plate 5. A spring 10 carried by the bracket 7 and bearing against the part 9 yieldingly supports the bar 4 in raised position with its upper side above the rail. 1.

The bar 4 is connected to a shaft 11 which in turn is connectedto the switchpoints, not shown. 1 A link 12 is connected to a pivot'8 carriedby-the bar 4 and to the upper end of a vertical arm 13' carried by the shaft 11.

The shaftll is providedwith a vertical arm .14 which is connected by a link 15 to a rod 16. The rod 16 is slidably supported between .the rails 1 and '2 by bearings 17 and extends from the shaft 11 tothe switch points. The connection between the bar 4 and rod 16 is such that when the former is depressed the latter will be moved inthe direction of the switchrThe bar 16 is connected to the switch points in such manner that when it moves forwardly the-switch points will be .rnoved into opened position. The means by which the bar 16 is connected to the switch points is shown in my earlier application.

The trip forming the subject matter of this application andthrough the medium of which the bar 4 is depressed to effect the opening of the switch, is mounted upon the car 3, andis preferably mounted upon the front wheel truck 18 of the car. The trip com-- prises a rectangular frame 19 which is secured in any suitable manner to the wheel truck 18 and has one end thereof extended laterally beyond the wheel truck. A shaft 20 is mounted in the frame 19, and it extends longitudinally of the frame and transversely of the car 3. A roller 21 is slidably and rotatably mounted upon. the shaft 20, and is adjustable inwardly and outwardly on the shaft so as to permit it to occupy an inactive or activeposition. When the roller 21 is in inac-' tive position it will not'contact with the bar 4, while when it is in active position it will contact with and depress the bar 4:, with the result that the switch will be opened to permit the car to move onto the branch or siding track. The rod 22 is supported by bearing brackets 23 which are secured to the frame 19. The rod 22 is arranged above and paral lel to the shaft 20, and is supported for end wise sliding movement with respect to the shaft. A forked arm 24 which is secured to the rod 22, engages in the groove 25 of the hub extension 26 of the roller 21. The connection between the roller 21 and the rod 22 is such that the roller may be moved into and held in its inactive or in its active position through the medium of the rod.

The roller 21 is normally heldin its inactive position by a spring27 mounted upon the rod 22 between one of the bearing brackets 23 and a collar 28 fixed to the rod. The roller 21 is adapted to be moved into and held in its active position through the medium of a handle 29 which may be arranged at any convenient point on the car 3 and is secured to a shaft 30 arranged at right angles to the rod 22. The shaft 30 is journaled in bearings 31 carried by the car 3, and it is provided with an arm 32 which is connected to an arm 33 fixed to the rod 22, the arms being connected by a flexible member 34. The connection between the rod 22 and the shaft 30 is such that when the shaft is rocked in one direction the roller 21 is moved into its active position. During this movement of the roller 21, the spring 27 is compressed, with the result that when the shaft 30 is released the spring reacts and re turns and holds the roller 21 in inactive position. A rest bracket 35 may be secured to the car 3 for the arm 29. As the connection 34 is "flexible it will not be injured during the relative movement of the car body and wheel truck and all liability of such movement moving the roller 21 into active postio'n is obviated. As it is onlynece'ssary to impart a swinging motion of the arm 29, the trip may be easily and quickly set to effect the depression of the bar 4 and the consequent opening of the switch. I I

While we have described the principle of the invention, together with the structure which we now consider to be the best embodinie'nt thereof, it is to be understood that th structure shown is merely illustrative and that such changes may be made therein when desired as are within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What we claim is: I

1. A car carried trip for switches comprising a frame arranged transversely of the car and extending beyond one end of the same, a shaft carried by and arranged longitudi nally of the frame, a trip roller slidably and rotatably mounted on the shaft having a shift collar,-a shift rod movable longitudinal- 'l'y of the frame having a fork engaging the collar, spring means normally urging the rod and roller in one direction, a rock shaft, a crank on the rock shaft, a flexible connection between the rod and crank shaft, and a handle for operating the rock shaft, as and for the purpose specified.

2. A car carried trip for switches, comprising an open rectangular frame arrange-d transversely of the car and extending beyond one end thereof and including spaced parallel side frame bars and end frame bars, a shaft extending longitudinally of the frame mounted between the side frame bars and having its ends mounted in the end frame bars, a roller rotatably and slidably mounted on the shaft for movement toward and away from one end frame bar, a shift collar connected with the roller, guides secured to-one side frame bar, a rod slidably mounted in said guides, a shift fork secured to one end of the rod and connected with the shift col la'r, a spring coiled about said rod normally urging the rod in one direction, a rock shaft carried by the car, a crank on the rock shaft, a flexible connection between the rod and crank, and handle for operating the said rock shaft, as andfo rth'e purpose specified. A

In testimony whereof we aflix our signatures. a v

THOMAS E. BLAQKWELL. LESLIE T. SMITH. 

